BRIEFS. crime

Taxi union to stop service in san miguelito

The assault on taxi driver Abdiel Ricardo Herrera, who was seriously wounded after being shot in an attempted robbery Thursday night, has prompted a transportation union to suspend service in San Miguelito. Rafael Reyes, secretary general of the National Syndicate of Taxi Workers, said yesterday that the union is not willing to continue putting the lives of its members at risk. So far in December, an average of five attacks per day have been reported against taxi drivers in that area.

The most serious involved Herrera, who was shot in the stomach and who remains in intensive care at Santo Tomás Hospital.

Reyes explained that, for now, the union's drivers will only provide service on main roads, and will not venture into areas where they can be ambushed.

He also called on police to increase surveillance in the area, something that has already been done.

Reyes will appear before the San Miguelito Municipal Council next week to discuss the issue.

There are 15 registered taxi unions that operate in San Miguelito, representing an estimated 12,000 drivers.